I found this post very interesting...I am experiencing a very similar situation except I have been out for only five months. I left flying to help my father with my mother who died last month. I am trying to get a flying job...I have my app into just about everybody that is hiring, but the only bite I have so far is from a regional...probably one of the better regionals out there, but it is still a first officer position and a long upgrade time. I should be pretty competitive at most majors but I don't have any connections. Best of luck to you!